I'm An Archer

Oliver Queen perched on the rooftop, basking in the gentle warmth of the late spring sun. The season was transitioning into early summer, yet the heat was still bearable, even pleasant.

As his classmates engaged in free practice below, Oliver found solace in solitude, high above the bustling activity. This time was designated for students to hone their skills with blessings derived from their studies, a practice Oliver could not participate in, for he had no blessings of his own. His decision to isolate himself wasn't borne from laziness but from a desire to avoid drawing attention, which could set off a cascade of undesirable events.

His social circle was non-existent, not a single person feigned closeness with him. Yet, loneliness was never the issue for him; solitude had become a familiar companion over the years, a presence he was all but used to.

Oliver's past was filled with hardships and meager existences. Sent to a border city in his youth, he led a life that was marked by poverty, where even the least valuable copper coin was treasured. His frugality once led him into a perilous situation where, in pursuit of a single coin, he tumbled into a stream. Not knowing how to swim, he nearly met his end beneath the water's surface, destined to become just another forgotten soul. But fate intervened, and his typically dormant luck surged, allowing him to flounder to safety in a desperate doggy paddle.

Eventually, he left the rugged simplicity of the border city for the thriving central territories of human civilization. His initial goal was to join the Adventurer's Association, a place less concerned with one's past and more with their potential to earn. Adventuring promised quick money and minimal scrutiny, ideal for someone of Oliver's discreet nature.

However, his plans took an unexpected turn when new regulations mandated that minors needed a graduation certificate from an accredited academy to join an adventurer team. Oliver had planned his arrival to precede these changes, but fate, as ever, had other designs.

On what should have been a straightforward journey, a sudden rockslide blocked his path. With no other choice, he edged past the precarious boulders, only for the ground to give way beneath him, sending him tumbling into the dense forest below.

Navigating the forest should have been a swift detour, but that day, the creatures within were unusually aggressive. Monsters, seemingly drawn from the deepest woods, launched unprovoked attacks. Oliver, caught amidst this inexplicable hostility, fought for survival, his path to the Adventurer's Association and his future, growing ever more uncertain.

Struggling through the wilds and uncertainties, Oliver finally arrived at the Adventurer's Guild, only to be greeted by the disheartening news of the newly implemented rules, of not accepting underaged applicants. In a bid to join, he feigned maturity, but his attempt to pass as an adult was quickly seen through, and he was unceremoniously expelled from the premises.

Faced with the grim prospect of starvation, desperation drove Oliver to claim a fake blessing from the Moon Goddess, boasting of an archery skill he did not possess. This ruse got him through the school's entrance examination, which fortunately focused solely on performance, not background. The tuition was affordable, and he could supplement his income by hunting monsters or clandestinely supplying herbs to local shops.

As days melded into weeks, Oliver often found himself gazing skyward, pondering the inevitable. His lack of a true blessing was a secret precariously close to surfacing. Discovery would mean expulsion and exile to another city, perpetuating his life on the run.

Despite this looming threat, he tried not to dwell on the past or its impending collision with his present.

The noise from the courtyard below eventually drew him from his rooftop reverie. Descending, he merged with the crowd, an anonymous figure among clusters of students. They chattered and laughed, their easy camaraderie a stark contrast to his guarded solitude. Oliver offered smiles and nods to those who acknowledged him, maintaining a facade of normalcy.

Just as he began to feel a semblance of belonging, a familiar voice pierced his bubble of anonymity.

"By the way, Oliver, do you know?" It was Nydia Kennedy, the class's indefatigable gossip.

"What's up?" Oliver turned to see her approach, her presence always signaled the churn of the rumor mill.

"The school's annual competition is coming up. Guess who's been selected from our class this time?"

"Am I included?" His voice was flat, his face impassive.

"Of course! Why else would I come find you? Congratulations, and start preparing!" She thrust a piece of paper into his hands and hurried off, leaving Oliver grappling with a mix of emotions. As he stared at the paper, the weight of what it represented, a public outing in a skill he did not possess, threatened to crush him.

The first name on the parchment was his. Oliver stared at it, his heart sinking. "Tsk, this is going to be tricky," he muttered under his breath.

The competition itself wasn't daunting; he could always bow out early if victory seemed unattainable. However, the real challenge lay in the preliminary blessing test, meticulously designed to detect cheaters and impersonators. The school, having been embarrassed by past incidents of fraud, now took great pains to ensure authenticity, with the formidable dean personally overseeing the proceedings.

If it came to light that Oliver lacked any blessings, the repercussions would be severe, not just a simple disqualification but potential banishment from the city and blacklisting from others.

Nydia approached him with a casual wave. "Hey, Oliver, you've got a few days off to prepare for the competition. No need to come to class."

"Really? Thank you," Oliver replied, though his mind raced with thoughts of escape.

"Just so you know, students from other schools are coming too. The dean's really invested in this, making it a big deal. No one's allowed to leave early; they're even housing everyone in the same building to keep tabs on us," Nydia added, trying to sound helpful.

"Okay." Oliver's expression remained unreadable, his mind churning through possible responses.

"You should really buckle down and prepare. I'll catch you later," Nydia said, departing with a friendly nod.

"Goodbye," Oliver echoed, already lost in thought.

Alone now, he murmured to himself, "Maybe I should focus on how to handle that blessing test first. The examiner isn't blind; I can't just knock them out."

His thoughts darkened, "If it comes down to it, I might have to resort to drastic measures. But how can I create a distraction without getting caught? There will be guards both in front and behind."

Oliver weighed his options, pondering the practicalities of his escape tools. "Should I opt for a wooden stick for ease of carrying, or an iron one for its knockout capability?"

As he strategized, he considered the examiners themselves. "They're likely not blessed with any extraordinary powers, but I must be cautious nonetheless."

Caught in a web of plotting and planning, Oliver stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the horizon, as he contemplated his precarious future.